Brooklyn Paramount Theatre

385 Flatbush Avenue Extension,

Brooklyn,
NY11201

In May 2016 Billboard reported that renovations would get underway in 2017 with a reopening projected sometime in 2019.
http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/touring/7358086/barclays-center-group-forges-long-term-deal-to-renovate-liu

This article from a few days ago refers to the Paramoun project as something imminent:
http://www.netsdaily.com/2016/11/30/13791978/prokhorov-in-town-for-win-and-new-acquisitions

MarkDHite: They can take it all the way back to 1928 if they want to. If they were willing to spend the money they could make every detail look like opening day. It’ll be interesting to watch the situation develop.

The theatre has already had a “major alteration” with all of the mezzanine and the front of the balcony removed. Even with a lot of beautiful restoration, the theatre will never be as it was in 1928. But I think it’s spectacular that it’s coming back! And can easily imagine it with 1500 seats. Bravo to Brooklyn! Again!

I imagine they will leave the main floor as is for people like to stand & scream when they see a rock band or other groups. The balcony of course will have seats. There comes the 1500. Similar to the Congress theatre here in chicago. They can cram more in and put in bars where the real money is pouring in. I might be wrong but this would explain the 4,000 into 1,500. Anyway it sounds so very exciting. Marquee & vertical put back is always a thrill.

The above article about the Paramount says the restored theatre will have a seating capacity of 1500! This is surely a mistake, how can you reduce the seating from 4.000 to 1.500 without a major alteration to the auditorium?

I am thrilled the Paramount wii be restored to a 3500 seat venue with a quality 50 Million Dollar restoration. Brooklyn is the comeback kid. The Paramount and the Kings are among the nations most beautiful theatres. The Paramount has one the worlds great organs and the restored theatre will compliment this treasure. Downtown Brooklyn will have two restored former movie palaces the Paramount and the former loew’s Metropolitan now a church. I love the fact that the Paramount wii restore the vertical and canopy Marquee’s which many restored theatres have failed to do which makes the restoration complete. Wow I’m impressed. brucec

Fort Greene’s Paramount Theatre, which for the past half-century has been used as the Long Island University sports complex, is set to be restored to its mid-20th century glory by a partnership of Barclay Center developer Bruce Ratner and Onexim Sports and Entertainment.

The $50 million renovation is set to take place over the course of two years, and in advance of that the university has released a couple renderings on its Flickr account, as well as a few historical photos.

This trend, led by the Loew’s Kings Theater in Flatbush, of formerly majestic Brooklyn theaters being returned to their original uses and levels of magnificence is definitely one that we can get behind.

There was a silent film “The Phantom of the Opera” done with the organ which went over very well except that it was the day before Sandy came and that kept people away but quite a few did show up. The last concert that was open to the public was I don’t even know how many years ago. It is hoped that a concert and 2 or 3 silent movies will be put on each year. Let’s see.

Do you want to hear the Mighty Wurlitzer at LIU Brooklyn, (The Brooklyn Paramount)? On Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. An evening of pops, show tues, and light classical will be performed by Theatre Organist Jelani Eddington. For more information go to
www.nytos.org

My hunch is that the Paramount will not be restored anytime soon. I think the University will probably continue using it for a variety of purposes. Even if they have a new gymnasium for official basketball games, this one can have other uses. When I was at U. of Illinois in Champaign there were several gyms around campus which were used for all sorts of things.

Aside from the fact that I believe the building is still viable for LIU, unless the Trustees are blind they must be aware of the growing likelihood of the Loews Kings restoration. They must also be aware of the Bronx Paradise recently being leased to a church. While these are not the only considerations with regard to restoration, any governing body with the capacity for thoughtful decision would have to take these things into account.

Here’s some news!! The New York Theatre Organ Society will present the 1925 Horror Movie Classic “The Phantom of the Opera” Starring Lon Chaney at the Brooklyn Paramount on Sunday, October 28th 2012 at 3PM. The Brooklyn Paramount Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ will be played with the movie. General Admission will be $10.00. $8.00 for Seniors.

Here’s a link to that Life Magazine issue. When you open it, just close the pop-up that asks about membership. The photo of the Paramount is on page 60, but the article (on classic movie palaces) begins on page 56. There’s a text box below the date of the magazine (which is February 19, 1971) where you can type the page # and hit “enter” on your keyboard.

To Adam S, there is one photo some place on the internet which does show a small piece of the first mezzanine. It was in Life magazzine right after the first conversion. The photo shows a student jumping over a gym horse and you can just make out part of the mezz. You’ll have to do a web. search to find it. It’s the only photo I ever saw which has the mezz. in it.